ARIA award-winner Claire Bowditch is back in Geelong for two special performances this weekend
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04.02.2021

ARIA award-winner Claire Bowditch is back in Geelong for two special performances this weekend

Words by Riya Kiran

The award-winning musician, broadcaster, sometimes actor, and now best-selling author, will be appearing with her full band at Geelong Art Centre on Saturday, February 6.

Following the madness of the year that was 2020, the Summer Sessions have some iconic shows prepared to give you your live music fix.

The key takeaways

  • Clare Bowditch is performing at the Geelong Arts Centre this weekend
  • Bowditch and her band will play twice at both 6:30pm and 9pm
  • Tickets are on sale now

Keep up with the latest festival news via our website.

The pandemic may have shut down any chances for a live show last year, but 2021 is here and bigger than ever, especially with award-winning musician Clare Bowditch and her band set to perform at the Geelong’s Arts Centre Summer Session this February.

As a renowned 2006 ARIA award-winning artist, best-selling-author and a Rolling Stone Woman of the Year, Bowditch is nothing less than an Australian gem. With a deep love for music and entertaining, Bowditch reflected on the ‘quiet year for musicians’ and how stoked she is to be back on stage.

“A couple of weeks ago we performed our first live performance in over a year. I went in feeling nervous, like what if I forgot how to play? But by the third song it was all coming back to me,” said Bowditch.

In light of the pandemic, numerous safety measures were imposed, causing shows to be cancelled and forcing artists to find new ways to connect with their audiences. Ultimately, Australian music was put on hold.

Now, the industry is beginning to take its first steps in this new world.

“Because of COVID, obviously the show was a very intimate, socially-distanced one. But nevertheless, it was a wonderful way to remind ourselves why we love playing,” added Bowditch

With capacity capped at a limited number, only a small audience was able to enjoy her spectacular show. Yet, despite having performed in arenas of over 20,000, she said: “it was the same as it always was.”
“The principle is the same, it’s us and these good people.

“For some reason, our music means something to them so it’s always precious to be in the same room, regardless of how many there are.

“In my career, I’ve had the joy of playing in pubs with only three people,” Bowditch laughed.

In August 2020, Bowditch released her audible ‘How To Tame Your Inner Critic’, describing it as “an attempt to be a different take on personal development.” Based on the stories in her book ‘Your Own Kind Of Girl’, the audible explore techniques of knocking back self-doubt. This project became the second most successful original audible in Australian history and reached many eager ears over the quarantine period.

Aside from this, Bowditch spent most of her year at home caring for loved ones and, as she explained “getting my head around this new world order.”

“I missed human beings. I missed the interaction that we have together and the inspiration that they give me. Because to choose your life as an artist you’re constantly trying to generate that spark of energy to create a song. A lot of the time that spark comes out of the interactions with our audiences. That is the thing I missed the most.”

Live music was transferred onto an online stage during COVID, with concerts being live-streamed and performed or viewed from the comfort of our own bedrooms. This allowed artists to continue doing what they loved, but it was never the same.

“It’s quite a different experience, going from that energy exchange with others to being on your own in a room. There’s so much information you can’t glean, see, hear.

“Ultimately there’s so much stuff you can’t replicate unless you’re at a live show together,” said Bowditch.

We are lucky enough to have Bowditch and the band grace the stage twice on February 6, with her performances scheduled for 6:30pm and 9pm. Despite being her first performance at the Geelong Arts Centre in years, she is more than pumped to be back here and performing for us.

“We are so excited to be able to do two shows in a day, we have so much pent-up energy to give after last year,” added Bowditch.

“It’s nice to have something to look forward to again. It’s a return to life.”

Claire Bowditch will be joined by opening act Connor Morrell, so why not get around this summer session and live up the best of Australian live music.

Tickets for both shows are on sale via the Geelong Arts Centre website.

Check out the other shows that will take over the big top here.